I Wish Part 2

Well, this will be part 2 from yesterday’s entry. I haven’t had a great deal of time to think about this, but I did check headlines to see if there was any more news about any impending earth changes. I didn’t find any so maybe it’s “old news.”

Still, I think that Jesus’ return is something we should continually look for because of 2 Timothy 4, “Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to ALL WHO HAVE LONGED FOR his appearing.“

“Longed for his appearing” is a strong term—not just glance about or have a fleeting notion that Jesus will come back. “Longed for” strikes me as a picture of a bride looking for her man who might be overseas serving his country with the promise of a wedding when he gets back. I would call that “longed for. . .” Think for a minute, doesn’t that sound familiar?

From Revelation 19:6-9, "Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude . . . shouting: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the WEDDING of the Lamb has come, and HIS BRIDE has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” . . . Blessed are those who are invited to the WEDDING SUPPER of the Lamb!”

No wonder the bride should be longing for his appearing.

But when will this happen?

2 Peter 3:9-14 “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.

Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.

So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.”

But, just as to the folks in New Testament time, Peter might say to us, “Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.”

Would we scoff? Are we scoffing right now?